Steelers' Chuks Okorafor slims down in pursuit of starting gig
Seeing Chuks Okorafor for the first time in almost five months, it stands out almost immediately. And not necessarily just because Okorafor has a new, tighter haircut that makes him appear more streamlined.
The Pittsburgh Steelers’ second-year offensive tackle has slimmed down.
“I’m down a little bit,” Okorafor said of his weight, “so I feel a little bit more fast.”
Although Okorafor didn’t divulge specific numbers on his weight, he’s listed at 320 on the roster. He said it was his choice to drop an estimated 10-12 pounds.
“Just wanted to get a little quicker,” Okorafor said after a recent organized team activity at UPMC Rooney Sports Complex.
Steelers Chuks Okorafor confident after rookie season https://t.co/ZXvtiZUcxb via @TribLIVE
— Chris Adamski (@C_AdamskiTrib) February 18, 2019
Okorafor is in a competition for the starting right tackle spot this season after the departure of longtime starter Marcus Gilbert. Matt Feiler started 10 games in Gilbert’s place last season. Okorafor got one start there, and he also played as a third tackle/tight end throughout his rookie season after being a third-round pick out of Western Michigan.
On Friday, Okorafor received first-team reps at left tackle. However, that was the result of a day in which many veteran starters were given the day off.
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Chris Adamski is a TribLive reporter who has covered primarily the Pittsburgh Steelers since 2014 following two seasons on the Penn State football beat. A Western Pennsylvania native, he joined the Trib in 2012 after spending a decade covering Pittsburgh sports for other outlets. He can be reached at cadamski@triblive.com.
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